Tag Archives: Xabi Alonso

In the 90th minute, as Arjen Robben raced through the center of Argentina’s defence, the stage was set. Putting an end to the demons of four years ago, where his failure to beat Iker Casillas one-on-one in the World Cup … Continue reading →

In transfer windows, elite teams generally spend more money than their lesser counterparts. This is due to more success and larger war chests. Bayern Munich has pulled something of a U-turn on that school of thought. The team had to … Continue reading →

Claude Makelele is widely acknowledged as one of the best defensive midfielders in history. In 2003, he was sold by Real Madrid to Chelsea. Following this move, Zinedine Zidane famously said, “Why add another layer of gold to the Bentley … Continue reading →

The go-to man on all things Spanish football has long been Guillem Balague and he took time out from his busy schedule to have a chat with World Soccer Talk. The journalist, author and pundit provided us with some typically … Continue reading →

Before the final whistle had sounded, the brow-furrowing and hand-wringing and calls for Carlo Ancelotti’s head had already begun. Real Madrid, looking less than resplendent in their hot pink away kits, were staring at a 4-2 defeat at the hands … Continue reading →

On Monday morning, David Moyes arrived at Manchester United’s Carrington training complex to start work, a whole 42 days ahead of schedule. In another line of work, Moyes would be commended for his professionalism, or, on the flip side, he … Continue reading →

For a club with an illustrious history, a three-year internment in the purgatory of the Segunda División almost erased the San Sebastián club from the collective consciousness. As with most historical clubs who end up falling to the second division … Continue reading →

So it seems the end is drawing close for Rafa Benitez at Anfield, with reports all over the place pointing to the Liverpool owners offering Benitez £3 million to leave immediately. Quite what has happened to bring Liverpool lurching in … Continue reading →

The titans of Spanish football will face off next weekend at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu in the traditional El Classico which will carry an even greater importance this time because it could decide the league title’s destination. The two clubs are tied on … Continue reading →

A gigantic banner covered one end of the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu before the match. On this banner, the Grim Reaper and other scary creatures from movies and stories past sprawled across, and there was a message for their Madrid neighbors … Continue reading →

The Almería – Barcelona match had not concluded when Real Madrid took to the pitch, but a few minutes into their match with Sevilla, they knew that Barça slipped at the Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos and dropped two points … Continue reading →

So what makes a great goal? I know it seems a easy question but honestly, what makes a goal truly great? Is it the goal that keeps a side up or a lob from the half way line? The goal … Continue reading →

I really can’t wait to read the December installment of FourFourTwo Magazine. In this issue Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard finally states what we all know: the departure of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid has undeniably damaged the Merseyside club. I … Continue reading →

Villarreal 0-2 Real Madrid 0-1 Ronaldo, 2’ 0-2 Kaka (pen), 73’ With four wins in four league games and three clean sheets in the bunch, it’s statistically difficult to find fault with Real Madrid’s early season performances. They have ostensibly … Continue reading →

It is mouth-watering just to imagine a match featuring the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Xabi Alonso and Karim Benzema taking on an opposing team which includes Lionel Messi, Thierry Henry, Xavi Hernandez and Zlatan Ibrahimovic to name just a … Continue reading →

The group stage of the Champions League began on Tuesday evening, and two La Liga outfits looked to initiate the exorcism of their personal demons. Real Madrid and its galácticos played its first Champions League match of the season against … Continue reading →